HALLADAY STAYS ON THE THIRD-BASE LINE

Fans aren't the only ones itching for that first pitch on Monday against the Nationals.

Starter Roy Halladay has been counting down to that day for quite some time now.

“That’s I think the hard part of later on in spring,” he said after his start Wednesday. “You start anticipating what’s to come and things get a little stale. I’m looking forward to it. I feel prepared. Extremely anxious.”

Despite giving up five hits (three doubles, one home run) in the first inning, Halladay insisted that he wasn’t anxious against Wednesday when he faced his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, for the first time since being traded last December.

He said he wasn't being aggressive enough and didn't make the adjustment until the second inning. He then retired the last seven batters he faced.

“I think you do really have to keep focus on what you’re trying to get out of it and evaluate yourself more on what you’re trying to accomplish and what you did than who’s out there,” he said.

Unlike former Phillie Brett Myers recently, who is now with Houston, Halladay was not over talking to his former teammates while they were stretching.

“it’s somebody you’ve played with a long time and respect everybody over there, but you realize that you’re preparing for a season and I wanted to do my best to keep my focus on that and pitch as much accordingly as I could,” he said. “I think the offseason is time for that.”

That’s the way it should be. Focus on this year. Focus on your teammates now. Focus on getting better.

These guys have months during the offseason when they get together and play a round of course or go out to dinner.When you’re about to compete against them, chatting it up over there…not the best idea.

It’s that focus, that drive, that consistency, that has helped get Halladay so far.

Recent Comments

Looks like the regular season is not starting off well.
Too many pitching DL list players.
Oh well, as long as they can hang in there.
These guys are the two time defending NL Champs.
Can anyone say Three-peat!